Diwali Special Trains: Railways Plans 102 Trips on This Route, Ticket Booking Starts September 27

Diwali Special Train 2026: Indian Railways is preparing additional train services to manage the heavy passenger rush expected during the upcoming Dussehra and Diwali festive season. As part of these arrangements, special trains are being introduced on high-demand routes so that passengers travelling to their hometowns have more options during one of the busiest periods of the year.

According to the information released about the festive arrangements, special services on one of the announced routes will make a total of 102 trips, providing additional capacity during the festival period. Reservation booking for the notified services is scheduled to begin from September 27, 2026.

Passengers planning to travel during Dussehra, Diwali or the surrounding festive period should check the exact train number, operating dates, route, timetable and booking conditions before purchasing a ticket.

Why Is Indian Railways Running Festival Special Trains?

Passenger demand rises sharply during major festivals in India.

Dussehra and Diwali see millions of people travelling between large cities and their hometowns. Regular trains on popular routes can become heavily booked weeks before the actual festival dates.

Waiting lists may grow rapidly, particularly on routes connecting major employment centres with cities and towns in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal and other states.

Festival special trains provide additional seats and berths beyond those available on regularly scheduled services.

Special Train Services to Make 102 Trips

The latest festive travel arrangement includes special services scheduled to complete a combined 102 trips on the notified route.

Passengers should understand that "102 trips" does not necessarily mean 102 separate trains.

In railway terminology, the number of trips or services generally refers to the total scheduled journeys made by the special trains in the notified period, including services in the applicable directions.

This distinction is important because headlines describing "102 special trains" could give passengers the incorrect impression that 102 different trains are being introduced.

Booking Begins September 27

Ticket reservations for the announced festival special services are scheduled to open from September 27, 2026.

Demand for festival-season tickets can be extremely high, so passengers who already know their travel dates may want to check availability once booking opens.

However, travellers should confirm the notified booking date for their specific train because Indian Railways can announce different special trains at different times.

The September 27 booking date applies to the services covered by this particular announcement rather than automatically to every festival special train operating across India.

Check the Train Number Before Booking

Passengers should pay close attention to the train number while booking.

Festival special trains can operate with different numbers from regular trains running on the same or similar routes.

Using the correct train number makes it easier to check:

• Departure and arrival timings

• Boarding station

• Destination

• Intermediate stops

• Running dates

• Available travel classes

• Seat availability

• Applicable fare

Passengers should also check whether the service operates daily, weekly or only on selected dates.

Festival Special Trains May Have Different Timings

Special trains are added to an already busy railway network, so their schedules can differ considerably from those of regular trains.

A special train may leave from the same station as a regular service but operate at a different time or stop at a different set of stations.

Passengers should therefore avoid assuming that a festival special will follow the timetable of a familiar regular train.

The exact departure time shown on the confirmed booking and the latest railway enquiry information should be checked before travelling to the station.

Special Train Fare May Differ From Regular Services

Passengers should also check the fare carefully before confirming a reservation.

Depending on the category under which a festival special is operated, the fare structure may differ from that of an ordinary regular train.

The final amount can also vary according to class, distance, reservation category and other applicable railway charges.

Instead of assuming that the ticket price will be identical to a regular train on the same route, passengers should check the final fare displayed during booking.

How to Book Festival Special Train Tickets

Tickets for notified special trains can generally be booked through the authorised railway reservation system once reservations open.

Passengers can use the official IRCTC booking facility or purchase tickets through railway reservation counters, subject to the applicable booking rules.

When searching online, enter the correct journey date and stations and look for the notified special train number.

Before making payment, verify the train number, journey date, passenger details, class and boarding station.

Check Your Ticket Status Before Starting the Journey

During the festive season, even additional trains can fill quickly.

Passengers receiving RAC or waitlisted tickets should continue checking their booking status as the travel date approaches.

A booking reference or PNR can be used to check the latest reservation position.

Travellers should also be aware that the rules for travelling with a waitlisted ticket can differ depending on how the ticket was booked and its final status.

Checking the final reservation status before leaving for the station can prevent unnecessary inconvenience.

Railways Usually Adds More Services During Festivals

The 102-trip arrangement is part of a broader strategy used by Indian Railways during high-demand travel periods.

Additional festival trains can be announced in phases as passenger demand becomes clearer.

Extra coaches may also be attached to selected regular trains where operationally feasible.

Therefore, passengers who do not find a confirmed ticket immediately should continue checking official railway announcements and availability. Additional services on their route could be introduced later.

Beware of Fake Festival Train Booking Links

High ticket demand also creates opportunities for online scams.

Passengers should avoid clicking unknown links claiming to provide "guaranteed confirmed tickets" on festival special trains.

Do not share an IRCTC password, OTP, UPI PIN, card PIN or other sensitive banking information with agents or unknown callers.

Tickets should be booked only through authorised railway channels.

A social-media message announcing a special train should also be verified before making travel plans because routes, dates and train numbers can sometimes be circulated incorrectly.

Plan Early for Dussehra and Diwali Travel

The weeks surrounding Dussehra and Diwali are traditionally among the busiest periods for train travel.

Passengers who already know when they intend to travel should monitor ticket availability instead of waiting until the final few days.

Having some flexibility with the travel date, boarding station or train can also increase the possibility of finding a confirmed seat.

Those unable to secure seats on regular services can check the newly announced festival special trains.

102 Additional Trips Could Provide Relief During Festival Rush

The introduction of special services making 102 trips can provide additional capacity for passengers travelling during the 2026 festive season.

Ticket booking for the services covered by the announcement begins on September 27, 2026, making the date important for passengers planning Dussehra and Diwali journeys.

Travellers should remember that 102 trips does not necessarily mean 102 individual trains. They should check the specific train numbers, operating dates, route, stops, timetable and fare before booking.

With demand expected to remain high throughout the festive period, planning early and relying on official railway booking information can improve the chances of securing a suitable ticket.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Festival special train schedules, routes, fares, booking dates, stoppages and operating days are subject to Indian Railways notifications and operational requirements. Passengers should verify the latest details through official Indian Railways or IRCTC channels before booking or travelling.